Navarre makes historic ballot on the regulation of cannabis

Navarre's Foral Law will regulate Cannabis Social Clubs

Thursday, 27th November 2014 was a historic day for marijuana users in Navarre, for the first law concerning cannabis social clubs was voted. This ballot will provide the official framework to set the regulations regarding shared cultivation and distribution of the plant among the members of the club.

This has been possible thanks to the IPL (Citizens' Legislative Initiative), which is a petition made by the pro-marijuana party in Navarre - the RCN/NOK (Cannabis Representation of Navarre - Nafarroako Ordezkaritza Kanabikoa) - the existing cannabis social clubs in the region and the various activists, organisations and people from other areas, who have joined forces to promote a collection of signatures open to everyone, towards the normalisation of cannabis through legal channels.

The Citizen's Initiative met the expectations in collecting over 10,000 signatures (10,102, only 5,000 were needed), which were brought to the Government of Navarre in the form of a regulatory Foral Law proposal, to be voted by the parties of the autonomous region.

The Citizens' Initiative was presented to the Parliament of Navarre on 18 September, and after the votation, the act was endorsed with 26 votes in favour, 23 abstentions and 0 votes against.

http://youtu.be/basXlukRg2M

The PP and UPN tried to postpone the ballot

Despite the efforts of the PP and UPN to halt the course of events, many months of work, organisation, and collecting signatures seem to have built a solid foundation from which to start working for the benefit of the people of this region, who want to have their own right to private use of both medical and recreational cannabis.

These efforts were evident when, after the speak before the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs by an expert the week before - highlighting the possibility of action - PP and UPN asked for a Parliamentary Presentation earlier this week.

In order to endorse this Parliamentary Presentation, a report from the National Plan on Drugs (PNSD) was also issued this week - dated 14 October - and received by UPN on 22 October, warning that this legislation could violate international laws as well as having many other negative consequences.

This report was not submitted to the parliamentary groups of the Commission until 21 November, a month late and just one day after the presentation by the expert invited to talk about the implications and justifications of this law enforcement.

Luckily, the other parties voted against the request for a Parliamentary Paper, reaffirming the right of people to vote the bill on the date initially appointed, which was 27 November.

Citizens' Initiative for the regulation of Cannabis Social Clubs in Navarre

Events in support of CSC in Navarre

http://youtu.be/d-HN6YN5aM4

While awaiting results, RCN/NOK and the CSC organised a festive day to support the event, which started with a balloon and marijuana seeds release at 10:30 am, followed by a press conference right in front of the Parliament of Navarre.

The debate and votation on the 1st Regional Law on Cannabis Social Clubs officially started at noon.
A lunch organised by clubs and associations took place at 3:00pm, and the day was closed with a party at Bar Nicolette Pamplona, with DJ Mike Villas and Txabi Hi-Fi. At 10:00pm, Juevintxo Cannábico with tapas and zuritos sprinkled with green touches.

http://youtu.be/aP9fLi-HHtc

Finally, the Parliament of Navarre approved the Law Regulating CSC with 25 votes in favour, 23 against and 0 abstentions. Congratulations Navarre!